CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is stepping up patrols in various parts of Uptown.
The department launched “Operation Heartbeat” back in the winter of 2022, launching a targeted approach to reduce crimes in areas near the Transit Center and the Spectrum Center.
CMPD said their approach led to a 36% reduction in violent crime and because of this success, they’re expanding patrols with “Operation Trio”.
CMPD will add First Ward Park, Fourth Ward Park and Romare Bearden Park to its targeted response locations. There have been several shootings and large fights breaking out at Romare Bearden Park, the most recent on New Year’s Eve where five people were hurt in a shooting.
Last November, two teens were seriously hurt in a shooting near the park. Then there was the all-out brawl on the 4th of July when 32 people were arrested or cited after the disruption.
People who live in the area say there is more violence happening in general. Now, people can expect to see more officers targeting these parks.
“When people come here they want to move into a safer place, Uptown resident Keith Sinkula said. "If there is a lot of crime then that could deter it."
Uptown is always bustling with people.
“The park is nice, the games are right there at the football stadium, so I can just walk to those,” Sinkula said. “I don’t know, I just like the area its nice. It’s clean and there’s always something to do.”
The French Quarter is a staple in the Uptown area, filled with restaurants and bars.
Nefeli’s Greek Kitchen and Bar has been at that location for 15 years. Gus Stamoulis is the owner.
“It’s like a homey feeling when you come here," Stamoulis said. "It’s an at-home feeling when you work here too."
Kristian Pedersen is a managing member of Valhalla & Hooligans.
“I love this courtyard, it's different, it's old, and it's exactly where you want to have a pub,” Pedersen said.
Folks want a safe space to enjoy.
“Most tourists come this way and we want to show them a great city, a clean city,” Pedersen said. “We want to show the presence of the police too and that they care about this area.”
At times, violence nearby at Romare Bearden Park spills onto the city streets. Stamoulis said the rise in violence has been a concern.
“You’re like where is the police, why are they not patrolling the park over here?” Stamoulis said. “It kind of makes you think it is going to destroy our business.”
Now CMPD is taking its operation and expanding it to more uptown locations.
CMPD could not provide anyone for WCNC Charlotte to talk to for this story but shared more about Operation Trio on social media.
“We are going to have increased visibility of marked units and uniform police officers at these locations and we are going to be conducting targeted and intentional investigations of people committing crime in our parks and other locations in uptown,” CMPD Captain Stephen Fischbach said.
People who live and work in the area say they are happy to see these efforts.
“People are going to feel a lot safer coming here,” Stamoulis said. “It’s going to make us feel safer and it's going to create a better environment where people can sit down and be comfortable.”
Comfortable enough to know he and his neighbors will be more protected.
“Patrolling Romare Bearden Park is going to allow me to go home to him too,” Stamoulis said, as he rocked his baby boy in his stroller.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.